The legal battle will involve an analysis of what sum Ms Estrada is entitled to in order to help her maintain her ultra-luxurious lifestyle following the end of her 13-year-marriage. Justin Warshaw QC, appearing for Dr Juffali, described her schedule of demands as ‘an extraordinary document – to describe her budget without resort to hyperbole is quite difficult.’
He added: ‘We are firmly in “gasp” territory.’ A massive legal costs bill has already been run up after Dr Juffali claimed he was entitled to immunity from his ex-wife’s claim because of his diplomatic status as a permanent representative to the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) of the Caribbean island of Saint Lucia.
The Court of Appeal ruled he was entitled to diplomatic immunity, but as he was permanently resident in the UK he was not immune from legal action as the divorce claim did not relate to the exercise of his diplomatic duties.
